The Bay on Thursday posted same-store sales growth of 6.7 per cent for the nine weeks ending Dec. 29, lower than the 9 per cent previously reported for the month of November alone, according to Keith Howlett, retail analyst for Desjardins Research.

Reitmans Canada Ltd. posted a same-store-sales decline in December of 3.4 per cent, compared with a smaller decline of 1.2 per cent in November. Sales at La Senza fell by 9 per cent in December.

TJX Canada, which includes Winners, HomeSense and Marshalls, posted same-store sale increases of 4 per cent. Costco Canada meanwhile, was cited as one of the best performing international markets by the U.S.–based discount warehouse retailer.

The international segment at Costco posted a 6 per cent same-store sales increase, after factoring out inflation in gas prices and currency exchange benefits.

“We had relatively modest expectations for holiday results in Canada, given the weak sales momentum of most retailers exiting 3Q and the late arrival of winter weather in the key population centres of Toronto and Montreal. Winter outerwear, apparel and footwear, as well as seasonal products such as snow blowers, are important components in the achievement of a healthy overall December sales result,” Howlett wrote in a note to investors.